Helter-Skelter: Score
By Robert D. McCashin
Grade: 3
Item: 98-DST6001S
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Description
Here's an exciting work musically depicting the hustle and bustle of many hurried people at a single event. Imitation and contrary motion are an extensive part of this fast-paced work. In a strict D dorian mode, this is an excellent pedagogically sound work.
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Additional Details
Series:
FJH String Orchestra
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-DST6001S
More about this title
About the Composer: Robert D. McCashin
Robert D. McCashin holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in conducting from the University of Arizona and earned both Bachelor and Master degrees in violin performance from Louisiana State University. He spent 43 years as a university conducting and string instructor, including 24 years at James Madison University where he directed the symphony, chamber orchestra, and opera orchestras while teaching orchestral conducting and applied strings. In 2015, he received JMU's Distinguished Teacher Award for the College of Visual and Performing Arts.
Before his position at James Madison, McCashin taught at the University of Texas at Arlington and Texas Wesleyan University, where he also conducted the Arlington Youth Symphony and served as associate conductor of the Youth Orchestras of Greater Fort Worth. He has published nearly 80 educational works spanning grades 1 through 5, many of which have become bestsellers and Editors' Choice selections. As a violinist, he performed with regional orchestras including the Fort Worth Symphony and Wichita Falls Symphony, and he co-authored the string class methods New Directions for Strings and A Scale in Time.
Why we love this
McCashin captures genuine musical activity through rigorous compositional technique rather than surface-level bustle. The strict D dorian mode paired with imitation and contrary motion creates a work that teaches harmonic language and voice leading while remaining energetic enough to hold an audience. At grade 3, it delivers real compositional substance without requiring advanced technical facility.
What to expect
A crowded marketplace in motion. Threads of melody weave over and under one another, creating forward momentum through imitation and conversation between sections. The D dorian mode gives the piece a contemporary brightness that distinguishes it from traditional major/minor writing, and the fast pace never feels frantic because the musical architecture is so clear.
Who it's for
String orchestras working at grades 2-4 who are ready to engage with compositional texture and modal harmony. Directors seeking contest or festival repertoire that sounds energetic and polished while teaching legitimate musical concepts.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the imitative passages by rotating which section carries the melody. This prevents any single voice from dominating and ensures each player understands their role in the texture.
- Shape the contrary motion sections with attention to dynamics. Let opposing lines create visual and sonic clarity so the audience can follow what's happening musically.
- Lock the tempo early in rehearsal. The fast pace and bustling character demand precision from every player, so establishing a rock-solid pulse protects the piece's energy from becoming chaotic.
- Highlight the D dorian character by listening for how the mode colors each phrase differently. This awareness helps musicians understand why certain moments feel distinctive without major/minor tonality.
How to use it
Program this as a full-length opening concert work or as an exciting festival/contest entry that showcases student musicianship in texture and intonation. Its energetic character and moderate length make it ideal for connecting repertoire that's more serious or introspective elsewhere on the concert.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and performing in D dorian mode
- Voice independence within imitative texture
- Tracking contrary motion between sections
- Maintaining tempo precision in fast, active passages
- Balancing multiple melodic lines simultaneously